"Defy The Demon Drink !"

Film: Hobson's Choice (1954)
Director: David Lean
Produced: David Lean
Written: Harold Brighouse, David Lean
Cast: Charles Laughton, Brenda De Banzie, John Mills
Genre: Comedy, Romance, Remake

The term "Hobson's choice" is a euphorism that dates back as far as the 16th century. The term represents a free choice where only one option is given. One either has the choice to accept the one option given or accept nothing at all. An example of a modern-day equivalent is the phrase, "It's my way or the highway."

Director David Lean's mainstream fame lies amongst films such as The Bridge on the Rover Kwai (1957), Lawrence of Arabia (1962), and Doctor Zhivago (1965). Hobson's Choice is a film that he made before any of these other classics. Lean was already a Hollywood director by the time the film came around to him, but he decided to go back to England (his homeland) in order to shoot it. As well, the playwright he borrowed the story from and all his actors all hailed from England.

Originally a play written by English playwright Harold Brighouse, the story takes place in Salford, England in 1880. Widower/drunkard Henry Hobson (Charles Laughton) is the owner of a bootshop. He has three daughters who live with him and work for his shop. When Hobson proposes the idea of having his two younger daughters married off and states that his oldest daughter Maggie (Brenda De Banzie), age 30, is way too old to marry, Maggie wants to prove him wrong and get back at him. What does she decide to do? She decides to marry the unappreciated bootmaker of the shop, Willie Mossop (John Mills). Willie is a simple man who doesn't know much else besides making boots in Hobson's shop. Thing is, he makes the best boots in town. A determined Maggie forces the idea of marriage on Willie, who doesn't put up much of a fight against the idea even though he initially doesn't think it best. After the two go through with their marriage, they receive a loan of 100 pounds from a faithful lover of Willie's work. Thus, they are able to open up their own boot shop and live on their own. Certainly, Mr. Hobson will not like this idea...

Brighouse's story is a fun and lovable one, and although I haven't read the original myself, I can wholeheartedly assume Lean did it justice in this early work of his career. After viewing this and Lean's Brief Encounter (1945), I'm able to grasp certain aspects of Lean's directing and what makes him stand out amongst the others. For one, the cinematography is very important two him, at least concerning the two films I've seen of his. Hobson's setting in the cobblestone streets of Salford, surrounded by little independent shops, is a perfect place for the beautiful shadows and smoke to appear as they naturally do. The audience is always in for a treat when a scene takes place outside in the streets during the nighttime. A certain scene involving a drunk-as-usual Mr. Hobson stomping on the full moons reflected in rain puddles comes to mind, which leads to a 20-foot fall into a cellar of a man who promotes tolerance of alcohol.

I caught this film when it just recently had it's TCM premiere, courtesy of guest programmer, actor/director Tim Roth. When asked what he thought made Lean stand out as a director, Roth mentioned the director's unbelievable casting and his ability to bring such great performances out of his choices. No argument there! First off, Laughton does an outstanding job playing the role of Harry Hobson. This is one of the best performances I've seen in terms of playing a man who likes to drink a little too much of mother's milk. The above-mentioned scene is one I can't see myself being able to forget. In fact, I can't wait until I get around to watching the film again, that way I can rewatch the big man in all his glory and debauchery. Secondly, De Banzie does an excellent job in portraying the classy and independent oldest daughter. Maggie's determination in getting what she wants in perfectly executed. The way Maggie seems to hold herself in such high regard throughout the film's entirety, it wouldn't surprise me in the least if De Banzie felt the same way about herself in real life! Last, but certainly not least, is the superb job done by John Mills in the role of bootmaker Willie Mossop. A real stand-out in the film, I was blown away by how convincing he was playing the part. The shyness, the illiteracy, the inability to stand up for himself; all these aspects of Willie's character come to life on the silverscreen in a very powerful way. I don't know much about John Mills, but I'm very interested in seeing more of his work, because seeing him act as a completely different type of character would really open my eyes. When a viewer has a hard time imagining an actor playing a different type of role, that's sometimes a sure sign of real talent. My opinion will only be justified after I catch Mills in some other films. Until then!

I'd reccomend this film to anyone who is looking for something light,entertaining, and very enjoyable. It's also great to see an earlier B/W work of such a prestigious Hollywood filmmaker. The ability to make a masterful epic like Lawrence of Arabia had to stem from somewhere, right?

Thanks for reading.



First 4 minutes of Hobson's Choice (1954)